Lock-out device for party-telephones.



D. W. KNEISLY. LOCK OUT DEVICE FOR PARTY TELEPHONES.

APPLIOATIQN FILED FEB. 20, 1908.

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n. W. KNEISLY. I LOOK OUT DEVICE FOR PARTY TELEPHONES. APPLIOATION FILEDPEB.20, 1908. 1,01 6,277, Patented Feb. 6, 1912,

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

W1 TNESSES:

ATTORNEY.

COLUMBIA I'LANOGRM'II cu wAslllNfiToN, D. c.

D. W. KNEISLY. LOCK OUT- DEVICE FOR PARTY TELEPHONES. APPLIOATION FILEDFEB.2'0, 1908.

1,016,277, 1 Patented Feb. 6, 1912.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

WITNESSES.-

ATTORNEY. N

COLUMBIA PLANouRAvn cm. WASHINGTON. u. c

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

DANIEL W. KNEISLY, 0F DAYTON, OHIO, ASSIG-NOR TO THE DAYTON TELEPHONELOCKOUT MFG. 00., OF DAYTON, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

LOCK-OUT DEVIOE FOR PARTY-TELEPHONES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 6, 1912.

To all whom it may concern:

Be itknown that I, DANIEL W. KNEIsLY, a citizen of the United States,residing at Dayton, in the county of Montgomery and State of Ohio, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Lock-Out Devices forParty-Telephones, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to lockout devices for party line telephones andparticularly to improvements on the device set forth in my former Patent#860,920, dated July 23, 1907.

The object of the invention is to provide a device of this character inwhich only the instrument selected from a series of instruments on acommon line will be rung in calling the subscriber.

A further object is to provide a device whereby any subscriber otherthan the one called will be prevented from using his instrument untilthe line is returned to normal condition, thus preventing interruptionof the conversation, and preventing the conversation being overheard byother parties on the same line. i I

Other objects are to provide means for returning the respectiveinstruments to normal instantly, at the will of the operator, withoutthe necessity of completing a series of stepup operations as is usual insuch devices, and to accomplish the various objects with but a singlebreak in the talking circuit at the subscribers instrument.

Further objects are to simplify the structure as well as the means andmode of operation of such devices whereby they will not only becheapened in construction, but will be more positive and eflicient inoperation, easily operated, and unlikely to get out of repalr. I

With the above primary and other incidental objects in view as willappear from the specification, the invention consists of the means,mechanism, construction, and mode of operation, or their equivalentshereinafter described and set forth in the claims.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a front elevation of the mechanism in normalposition. Fig. 2 is a similar view with the parts operated, but withthis particular instrument locked off the line. Fig. 3 is a rear view,relative to Fig. 1,showing the instrument in unlocked condition as whenthe instrument is in use.

Fig. i is an end elevation of the lock out mechanism, in positionsimilar to Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a detail view of the polarized armature.Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic viewshowing the various circuits.

Like parts are indicated by similar characters of reference throughoutthe several views.

The device shown in the drawings and herein described is designed to beone of a series of similar instruments located on a common or partytelephone line, and is adapted to be operated from a central station, bya series of separate impulses sent over the line; each instrument beingadapt= ed to be released or brought into talking condition by different,predetermined number of separate impulses. The construction is such thatonly one instrument is ordinarily in talking circuit at a time, theremaining instruments of the line being maintained in inoperativecondition, through certain interengaging parts engaging With andpreventing the movement of the receiver hook when the receiver has beenremoved, to close the talking circuit.

In constructing the device there is employed a support or main frame 1preferably of metal, but which might be of any other suitable material,located within'a case or box 2. The frame 1 might be dispensed with andthe various parts of the mechanism may be attached direct to theinterior of blades 5, 6 and 7 by the engagement therewith of aninsulated finger 8 carried onthe hook arm 4; as in Fig. 3. Therespective blades 5, 6, and 7 are mounted on the frame 1 and areinsulated from each other and from the frame, except 7 which iselectrically engaged with the frame. Supported on brackets 9 and 10 onthe main frame is an electromagnet 11, bridged across the main line, andexcited by current from the central station. A permanent magnet 12 isalso supported on the bracket 9 and extends under the magnet 11.

Pivoted at 13 on the bracket 9 is an armature 14, having a rock arm 15extending above the magnet 11 and parallel therewith, and carrying atits extremity a spring actuated pawl arm 16 engaging suitable notches inan oscillatory notched segment pivoted 5 15, and a series 21 engaged bythe pawl arm 16, whereby the segment 17 is oscillated throughout a stepby step movement, against the tension of a spring 22, adapted to returnthe segment to normal position when released as hereinafter mentioned.

As each separate impulse sent over the line from the central stationexcites the magnet 11 the armature 14 is attracted thereby, the arm 15being regidly attached thereto is elevated, and the pawl arm engagingone of the notches 21 is elevated to advance the notched segment onestep. The engagement of the detent 20 with the notches 19 at eachelevation of the arm 15, prevents the overthrow of the segment 17 orlimits the movement thereof to one step at each operation. The notchedsegment 17 is held. in its operated position by a detent tooth 23, on anoscillating lever 24 pivoted to the main frame at 25. The detent tooth23 is held in engagement with the notched segment 17 by a spring 26connected to the lever 24. The upper extremity of the lever 24 isadapted to contact with a terminal 27,

thereby closing the ringing circuit, of which the frame 1 and lever 24form a part.

In the series 21 of notches in thesegment 17 there are three notches ofgreater depth than the others, a deep notch X which varies in itsrelative location in each of the series of instruments on a common line,according to the number of steps or impulses required to bring theinstrument into operative condition, a second similar deep notch ylocated in the same relative position in each instrument of the series,whereby all the instruments may be synchronously connected and a thirdnotch Z, the initial notch of the series 21 of less depth than thenotches X and y but of greater depth than the remaining notches. Thenotch Z is similarly located in each of the instruments on the linebeing the initial notch, the second notch being in each instance ashallow notch, the notch X being variable in its location and occupyinga different position in each instrument while the notch Y located nearthe subsequent end of the series is constant in its location being thesame number of steps from Z in every instrument.

Pivoted to the rear of the frame 1 is a swinging dog 28, adapted toengage a pin 29 in the receiver hook 4 and prevent the elevation of saidhook as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2. A finger 30 on the arm 25engages the dog 28, when the detent tooth 23 drops into any one of thedeep notches X, Y, Z, of the series 21, and presses the dog 28 out ofthe path of the pin 29 in the hook arm 4, thus permitting the hook torise to close the talking circuits through the blades 5, 6, and 7. SeeFig. 3. The adjustment of the parts is such that when the detent finger24 is in the deep notches Y or X, the ringing circuit between the arm 4and the terminal 27 iscomplete through the contact of said parts, andthe hook 4 is unlocked through the engagement of the finger 30 with the(log 28. However, the notch Z being of less depth than X and Y, theadjustment is such that when the tooth 24 is in said notch Z the dog 28will be pressed out of the path of the pin 29 by the finger 30, but onaccount of the less depth of said notch, the arm 24 will not contact theterminal 27 and the ringing circuit will remain open. lVhen the finger24 is in engagement with one of the shallow notches, not only will theringing circuit be broken by the arm 24 being held out of engagementwith the terminal as in Fig. 2, but also the finger 30 will be held outof engagement with the dog 28, permitting the dog to swing into the pathof the pin 28 and so lock the hook 4 against movement even though thereceiver be removed therefrom.

In Fig. 1 is shown the normal position of all the instruments on theline, with the detent finger 24 in the initial deep notch Z, whichpermits the arm 25 to oscillate sufficiently to cause the finger 30 topush the dog 28 out of the path of the pin 29 in the hook arm 4, thusallowing any subscriber to communicate with central by removing thereceiver from the hook, permitting the hook to rise and close thetalking circuit. However, when in this position the ringing circuit isopen intermediate the arm 24 and the terminal 27, due to the initial ormedium deep notch not being of sufficient depth to permit the contact ofsaid parts, thus preventing any other subscribers bell ringing when anyone subscriber calls the central station. hen the detent finger 24 is inthe extreme deep notch X the arm 24 contacts the terminal-27 and theringing circuit is complete, and the hook 4 is unlocked This is alsotrue at the engagement of the tooth 23 in the deep notch Y. The objectof the deep notch Y is to permitthe instruments to be used for coderinging in the usual manner. In some instances the central station isclosed during certain hours, and it is desirable to so arrange theinstruments on the line that there may be inter-connnunication overthecommon line between the respective instruments, independent of thecentral station. This may be done by stepping up the device until thedetent tooth'23 is in the third deep notch Y, at which time the ringingcircuits of each instrument will be closed and the respective receiverhooks unlocked.

After the respective devices have been stepped up to bring the desiredinstrument into the talking circuit, and the conversation finished itbecomes necessary to return the devices to normal condition, preparatoryto the next call.

Attached to the lower end of the lever 24 is an armature 32, attractedby the magnet 11 at each impulse. Pivoted on the bracket 10 is apolarized armature 33, influenced by the magnet 11 and the permanentmagnet 12. The lower end of the lever 24 is turned at right angles as at34 and carries in said turned portion a pin 85. During the normaloperation of the device, that is, during the stepup or selectingoperation, the infiuence of the magnets 11 and 12 on the polarizedarmature 33, is such that said armature projects into the path of thepin 35 and limits the movement of the arm 24. The polarized armature inposition to so limit the movement of the lever 24 is shown in Figs. 1, 2and 4.

When it is desired to return the parts to normal, an impulse is sentover the line in reverse direction from the central station, thusreversing the poles of the electromagnet 11 and causing the polarizedarmature to move on its pivot to the position indicated in Fig. 5, inwhich case it will be out of the path of the pin 35, and through theattraction of the magnet 11 and the armature 32 the lever 24 will beoscillated to withdraw the detent finger 23 from engagement with thesegment 17; at the same time a hook extension 36 carried on the lever 24will engage the pawl arm 16 and withdraw same from engagement with thesegment 17, thereby permitting the segment to return to normal positionunder the action of the spring 22, when the detent tooth 23 will rest inthe initial or medium deep notch Z of the series as before described.Upon the return movement of the segment to normal position the teeth ofthe segment will ride freely over the detent 20, said detent 20 beingpivoted to the lever 15 and free to move about its pivotal connection inone direction but limited against movement in the opposite direction.

Circuits-in Fig. '6 is illustrated diagrammatically the variouscircuits, and operating parts and connections, the central stationapparatus being indicated at the right, and the subscribers instrumentat the left of said figure. a and a is the main line, common to a numberof subscribers instruments. The magnet 11 is bridged across the line,the drop line 40 connecting with one terminal of the magnet 11, theopposite terminal being attached to the frame 1, as at 41. The seconddrop line 42 connects with the switch blade 7 which is in electricalcontact with the frame 1, thus completing the circuit between oppositesides of the line 0;, (b through the magnet 11 and frame 1 as indicatedin dotted lines Fig. 6. The subscribers call bell b is bridged betweenthe terminal 27 on the main frame 1, and the drop line 40, the circuitbeing from the line a through the drop 42 to the frame 1, through theframe 1 and lever 24 to the terminal 27 when the lever 24 contactstherewith, thence through the bells Z) to the drop 40 and to the line 06The subscribers calling magneto 0 is bridged between the drop lines 40and 42. The receiver circuit extends between the blade 6 through thesecondary of the coil 01 to the drop line 40, including in said circuitthe receiver 6 and condenser The transmitter circuit extends from theswitch blade 6 through the primary of the coil (Z to the switch blade 5,including the transmitter g, and battery h. At the central station, arethe two lines 44, and 45 connecting with the main line through the usualcalling and answering jacks, not shown in the present drawing. The lines44, 45 connect with the sides a, a respectively of the main line. Theusual annunciator drop is indicated at 2', and is normally bridgedacross the lines 44, 45 through a switch j; is the operators instrument;Z is a key for sending separate selecting impulses over the line, tooperate the subscribers selector mechanism. A pole changer m is providedto reverse the direction of the current from the battery or other sourceof energy n, 0 is a generator, adapted to be brought into circuit by theclosing of the switch 37.

Operation-WVhen in normal position as indicated in the drawings with thedetent tooth 23 engaging the notch Z the receiver hook is unlocked asindicated by dotted lines Fig. 1. The subscriber operates the magneto 0,and removes his receiver 6 from the hook allowing the hook to beelevated by the action of the spring 43, to close the circuits betweenthe switch blades 5, 6 and 7 as in Fig. 3. This call is indicated to thecentral operator by the drop i, the operator moving the switch to cutthe drop 71 out of circuit and to bring the operators instru ment 7:into the talking circuit.

The transmitter circuit of the subscribers instrument is closed throughthe switch blades 5 and 6; the receiver circuit being from the line athrough the drop 42, the blade 7 to the blade 6, thence through the coil(Z, the receiver 6 and condenser f to the drop 40 and to the line a Thebreak in the ringing circuit between the lever 24 and the terminal '27when the parts are in normal position, prevents the current generated bythe magneto c to call central, short circuiting through the instrumentto ring bells b of the calling or any other instrument on the line. Uponreceiving the sub scribers call, the operator will move the switch j tocut out the operators instrument is and to bring into the circuit theimpulse sending key Z. It will be assumed that the subscribersinstrument illustrated is the desired instrument, which is in normalcondition as shown in said Fig. 6 also in Fig. 1. The operator willselect, or unlock the desired instrument by operating the key Z to closethe circuit a predetermined number of times, as may be necessary tobring the detent tooth 23 into the deep notch X. At each closure of thekey Z the electric impulse will pass from the battery it through the keyZ and switch j to the line 4-4- thence to the main line a and over thedrop lines 42 and through the magnets 11 of every instrument on theline, over the drop lines 40, main a and drop 45 to the batterycompleting the circuit. Each impulse exciting the magnet 11 will causethe oscillatory segment 17 to be stepped up one notch, as beforedescribed. At the first step or impulse, the detent tooth 23 of eachinstrument on the line will engage the second notch which in everyinstrument is a shallow one. This will hold the lever 24 in suchrelation that the dog 28 will be disengaged by the finger 30, and willbe permitted to swing into the path of the pin 29 in every instrument onthe line. At each subsequent step the detent tooth 23 of some one of theseries of instruments will engage the notch X, said notch X beingdifferently located in each instrument. The instrument of the drawingsis the number six instrument, being brought into operation on theseventh step or impulse. The first step serves to lock every instrument,while the sixth subsequent step will release the illustrated instrument,by the tooth 23 engaging the notch X which will permit the lever 24 tooscillate to close the ringing circuit by the contact of the lever 24with the terminal 27, and will release the receiver hook by theengagement of the finger 30 with the locking dog 28. The subscriber isnow called by closing the switch 39 thus sending the current from thegenerator 0 over the line 44 and a to 42, thence through the frame 1,and lever 24, the terminal 27, through the bell ringing magnet asindicated at Z), to the drop line 40 to the return main 0, and the line45 to the opposite pole of the generator 0. At the time the tooth 23 ofthe illustrated or called instrument engages the notch X, the tooth 23of every other instrument on the line is engaged with a shallow notch,and the ringing circuit is broken, and the receiver hook is locked ininoperative position as described.

When it is desired to return the instruments to normal after thecompletion of the conversation, the pole changer m is operated. and thekey Z is closed to send an impulse in the opposite direction over theline and through the respective magnets 11. The changed polarity of themagnet 11, will cause an oscillation of the polarized armature 33,causing said armature 33 to move out of the path of the lever 24,thereby permitting said lever 24 to oscillate, through the attraction ofthe magnet 11 and armature 32 on said lever, to disengage the detenttooth 23 from the notched segment 17 and to withdraw the pawl 16 fromengagement with the notched segment, by means of the hook extension 36carried by the lever 24. When so disengaged the segment will be returnedto normal by the spring 18. While a double metallic circuit a, a hasbeen described, the main line wire a might be dispensed with, undercertain conditions, and the lines 40 and 45 may be grounded as at 47 and48 in Fig. 6, thus completing the circuits through ground instead ofthrough the line al If metallic talking and selecting circuits aredesired, the ringing may be accomplished through ground as indicated at49 and 50 in Fig. 6. Thus but two conductors are required to form boththe operating and talking circuits, one of which conductors may be theground, or two metallic conductors may be employed with an additionalgrounded ringing circuit. However the preferred form is two metallicconductors as shown in solid lines in the drawing. The construction isalso applicable to common return systems of telephony. The notch Y is solocated that the teeth 23 of each instrument on the line will enter thenotch Y simultaneously, thus unlocking every instrument on the line, andclosing all the ringing circuits, whereby intercommunication may be had,the desired instrument being indicated by code ringing. As shown in thedrawing all the instruments will be thus unlocked on the eleventh step.

In order that the ringing circuit will be broken when the receiver andtransmitter circuits are in use, a stud 51 is provided, projecting fromthe hook lever 4, and carrying a roller 52, which roller is adapted toengage a pin 53 in the lever 24 when the hook 4 is in its elevatedposition, and thereby oscillate said lever to break the contact of thelever 24 and the terminal 27. construction is best shown in Figs. 3 and4.

In calling a second party on the same party line the operation is thesame as if the calling and called parties were on different lines. Thecalling party removes his receiver and instructs the operator in theusual manner. It is not necessary that the subscriber should hang up hisreceiver again while the party is being called, but to the contrary heshould keep the receiver off the hook in the customary manner. Theoperator will proceed to select the desired instrument on the callingline in the manner as described, and upon completion of the conversationthe instruments will be returned to normal, by the usual operation ofreversing the direction of the current.

This

It is to be noted that no adjustment of resistance according to theposition of the instrument on the line, or the strength of current isnecessary. The locking, unlocking, and selecting operations aremechanical, and while actuated by the electrical impulses, theoperations are performed independent of the strength of the current, theinstrument being unaffected by any variations thereof, providing it isalways of sutficient strength to excite the magnet 11 to attract therespective armatures.

From the above description it will be apparent that there is thusproduced a device of the character described, possessing the particularfeatures of advantage before enumerated as desirable, but which,obviously is susceptible of modification in its form, proportion, detailconstruction, and arrangement of parts, without departing from theprinciple involved or sacrificing any of its advantages.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a device of the character described, the combination with lockoutmechanism of means controlling the ringing circuit and receiver hook andcomprising an oscillating segmental plate having a series of recessestherein, said recesses being greater in number than the number ofinstruments on the line, the initial recess of said series being adaptedto maintain the lockout mechanism in such position as to release thereceiver hook while maintaining the ringing circuit in open conditionand one of said recesses being of greater depth than the others andadapted when engaged to permit the closure of said ringing circuit andsimultaneously release the hook, a means for operat ing said controllingmechanism, substantially as described.

2. In a device of the character described, the combination with meansfor locking the receiver hook in inoperative position, of controllingmeans therefor comprising an oscillating segmental plate having a seriesof recesses therein of diiferent depths, a pivoted lever adjacent tosaid segmental plate and having a tooth adapted to enter the recesses atdifferent depths in said segmental plate thereby controlling theposition of said lever, and means for operating said mechanism and meanscontrolled by said lever adapted to release the receiver than the otherrecesses,a second recess of break less depth than the first mentionedrecess and of greater depth than the remaining recesses, and means foroscillating said plate means engaging the recesses of said plate andwhen in engagement with the first mentioned recess adapted to cause therelease of said hook and the closure of the ringing circuit but whenengaged by the second mentioned recess adapted to release only said hookwhile maintaining the ringing circuit open, substantially as and for thepurpose specified. i

4. In a device of the character described, the combination with meansfor rendering the receiver hook inoperative of means con trolling sameand comprising an oscillating segmental plate, a series of controlledteeth of different depths in the edge of said segmental plate, anadditional series of detent teeth also in the edge of said segmentalplate a detent adapted to enigage said detent teeth to limit themovement of the segmental plate and a pawl engaging the variable depthcontrol teeth for oscillating said segmental plate both said detent andpawl being carried on a common lever, substantially as and for thepurpose specified.

5. In a device of the character described,

-mental plate to prevent said plate from moving a greater distance thanthe space of one tooth at each movement of said lever, substantially asdescribed.

6. In a device of the character described, the combination with circuitmake and mechanism of controlling means therefor comprising anoscillating segmental plate having a series of teeth in the edgethereof, a pawl engaging said teeth to actuate said plate, a lever uponwhich said pawl is carried, stop mechanism adapted to engage said teethand hold said plate in its adjusted position, a detent adapted to engagesaid plate and prevent same from being moved a greater distance than thespace of one tooth at each movement of said lever a magnet for operatingsald lever, one of ,the teeth of said plate being of greater depth thanthe remaining teeth, a movable member, the movement of which is limitedby said plate and permitting the additional movement when the top toothreaches a predetermined position, and means whereby said member, by thisadditional movement, will operate said make and break mechanism,substantially as described.

7 In a device of the character described,

the combination with circuit make and break devices of control mechanismtherefor including a movable member, a variable stop limiting themovement thereof, adapted when in a predetermined position to permit themovement of the said member through a greater path of traveland therebyoperate the make and break devices, a second stop limiting the movementof the movable member in the opposite direction, means for moving thesecond stop member to permit an additional movement of the member inreverse direction, thereby allowing the first mentioned stop to returnto normal.

8. In a device of the character described, the combination with circuitmake and break mechanism, of means controlling same comprisingoscillatory segmental plate having a series of recesses in the edgethereof, a pawl engaging said recesses to oscillate said plate, a leverupon which said pawl is carried, means for operating said lever, aspring pressed pivoted lever adjacent to said plate, a tooth carried bysaid lever and adapted to engage said recesses to hold said plate in itsoperative position and to .limit the oscillation of said lastmentionedlever, means for permitting said lever an additional degree ofoscillation at a predetermined point in the movement of said segmentalplate whereby the make and break device will be operated, a detent onsaid pawl carrying lever adapted to engage said plate and prevent samefrom being operated a greater distance than the space of one tooth foreach operation of said lever,

substantially as described.

9. In a mechanism of the character described, the combination withcircuit make and break mechanism of controlling means comprising anoscillatory segmental plate having a series of recesses in the edgethereof, means for engaging said recesses and operating said plate thedistance of one recess at a time, a lever pivoted adjacent to saidplate, a spring tending to force said lever toward said plate, a toothcarried by said lever and adapted to engage said recesses to limit theoscillatory movement of the lever and means whereby said lever will bepermitted an additional degree of movement at a predetermined point inthe movement of the segmental plate and means for operating the make andbreak mechanism by such additional movement of the lever, and a detentalso engaging said plate and adapted to limit the oscillatory movementof the same, substantially as described.

10. In a device of the character described. the combination 'withcircuit make and break devices, of control mechanism therefor includinga movable member and actuating means therefor, means for limiting themovement of the member in either direction, means for permitting themovable member a greater degree of movement in either direction wherebywhen permitted additional movement in one direction it will operate thecircuit make and break devices, and when permitted additional movementin the other direction will permit the return of the operated parts tonormal.

11. Inadevice of the character described, the combination with circuitmake and break mechanism of control mechanism therefor comprising anoscillatory segmentalplate having a series of recesses in the edgethereof, a lever, a pawl carried thereby and adapted to engage saidrecesses to oscillate said plate, a magnet adapted to operate saidlever, a spring'pressed lever adjacent to said plate, a tooth on saidlever adapted to engage the recess in said plate and limit theoscillatory movement of the lever, means for permitting said lever anadditional degree of oscillation at a predetermined point in themovement of said segmental plate, an armature for said magnet attachedto said lever and adapted to oscillate the same when said armature isattracted, means carried by said lever adapted to engage said operatingpawl and disengage the same from said plate upon the retraction of saidlever, substantially as described.

12. In a device of the character described, the combination with circuitmake and break mechanism of control mechanism therefor comprising anoscillatory segmental plate having a series of notches in the edgethereof, means engaging said notches to oscillate said plate, a leverpivoted adjacent to said plate, means carried by said lei er forretaining said plate in its operative position, a double ended magnethaving an armature at one end adapted to operate said oscillating meansand an armature at the opposite end connected to said lever and adaptedto move the same away from said plate, a means connected with said leverand adapted to engage said oscillating means to move the same out ofengagement with said notches, and means for limiting the movement ofsaid lever when actuated by said magnet.

13. In a device of the character described,

the combination with circuit make and break mechanism of cont-r01mechanism therefor comprising a plate having a series of recesses in theedge thereof, means for engagconnected to said lever and adapted toengage said step by step mechanism and move same out of engagement withsaid recesses, a spring tending to hold said second armature away fromsaid magnet, means project ing into the path of said second armature andadapted to limit the movement thereof when said magnet is energized foroperating the step by step mechanism, and means for removing theobstruction from the path of said armature when it is desired to returnthe plate to normal position, substantially as described.

14L. In a device of the character described, the combination with atelephone receiver hook and lockout mechanism adapted to lock said hookin inoperative position of control mechanism therefor comprising anoscillatory segmental plate having a series of recesses in the edgethereof, one of said recesses being of greater depth than the remainingrecesses, means for oscillating said plate on its pivotal connection, atooth adapted to engage said recesses and means for releasing saidreceiver hook when said tooth enters the deep recess, substantially asdescribed.

15. In a device of the character described, the combination with areceiver hook and means adapted to hold samein its inoperative position,of control mechanism comprising an oscillatory segmental plate having aseries of recesses therein, one of said recesses being of greater depththan the others, means for oscillating said plate, a tooth engaging saidrecesses, and means for engaging said hook restraining means to releasesaid receiver hook when said tooth engages the deep recess in saidoscillatory plate, substantially as described.

16. In a device of the character described, the combination with talkingand ringing circuits, of the receiver hook adapted to control saidtalking circuit, means adapted to engage said receiver hook and hold thesame in in-operative position, a control mechanism comprising anoscillatory segmental plate having a series of recesses therein, one ofsaid recesses being of greater depth than the other, a second recess ofless depth than said first named recess and of greater dept-h than theremaining recesses, means for oscillating said segmental plate, a springpressed lever adjacent to said oscillatory plate, a tooth carried bysaid lever and engaging said recesses, a projection on said leveradapted to engage said hook engaging means and release said receiverhook when said tooth is in either of said deep recesses, av ringingcircuit contact carried by said leverand adapted to close said ringingcircuit when said tooth is in said first mentioned recess, substantiallyas described.

17. In a device of the character described, the combination with talkingand ringing circuits of a receiver hook adapted to control said talkingcircuit, means engaging said receiver hook and retaining same in itsiii-operative position when the line is in use, control mechanismcomprising oscillatory segmental plate having a series of recesses inthe edge thereof, one of said recesses being of greater depth than there maining recesses, a second" recess of less depth than the firstmentioned recess, and of greater depth than the remaining recesses,means for oscillating said segmental plate, normally open contacts forsaid ringing circuit, a spring pressed lever adjacent to saidoscillatory plate, a tooth carried by said lever and engaging saidrecesses, a projection carried by said lever and adapted to operate saidhook engaging means to release said receiver hook when said tooth enterseither of said first or second mentioned deep recesses, means carried bysaid lever to close said ringing circuit when said toot-h is in saidfirst mentioned deep recess, means car ried by said receiver hook formoving said lever and breaking said ringing circuit when said receiverhook assumes its operative position and closes the talking circuit,substantially as described.

18. In a device of the character described, the combination with circuitclosing mechanism of control mechanism therefor comprising anoscillatory segmental plate having a series of recesses in the edgethereof, one of said recesses being of greater depth than the remainingrecesses, a tooth adapted to engage said recesses, and means connectedto said tooth for making and breaking an electric circuit and adapted tomaintain said circuit open when said tooth enters the shallow recesses,and for closing said circuit when the tooth enters said deep recess, andmeans for oscillating said oscillatory segmental plate through a step bystep movement, substantially as specified.

19. In a device of the character described, the combination With circuitmake and break mechanism of control mechanism therefor, comprising anoscillatory segmental plate having a series of recesses in the edgethereof, an initial unlocking recess in said series of greater depththan its adjacent recess, a circuit closing recess of greater depth thansaid unlocking recess, a tooth adapted to engage said recesses, andmeans connected with said tooth for unlocking said instrument when saidtooth enters said unlocking recess, and for locking said instrument whensaid tooth. enters the recess next adjacent thereto and means forunlocking said mechanism and closing the ringing circuit when said toothenters said circuit closing recess and means of oscillating saidoscillatory segmental plate, substantially as described.

20. In a device of the character described, the combination With circuitmake and break mechanism of control mechanism therefor comprising anoscillatory segmental plate having a series of recesses in the edgethereof, an initial unlocking recess of greater depth than its adjacentrecess, an electric circuit a circuit closing recess corresponding innumber to one more than the'number of the particular instrument to whichsaid control mechanism is attached and being of greater depth than saidunlocking recess, a

tooth adapted to engage said recesses and means connected to said toothfor unlocking said instrument when said tooth is in engagement with saidunlocking recess, and for locking said instrument when said toothengages the recess next adjacent to said unlocking recess, and forunlocking said instrument and closing said circuit when said toothengages said circuit closing recess, and means for oscillating saidoscillatory segmental plate, substantially as described.

21. In a device of the character described, the combination withelectric circuit closing and breaking mechanism of control mechanismtherefor comprising an oscillatory segmental plate having a series ofrecesses in the edge thereof, said recesses varying'in depth, a toothspring pressed toward and engaging said recesses, means connected withsaid tooth for controlling said circuit closing and breaking mechanismaccording to the depth of recess engaged thereby, a pawl engaging saidrecesses, a lever on which said pawl is carried, a magnet operating saidlever'to oscillate said oscillatory segmental plate the space of onetooth at a time, and means for sending a series of pulsations throughsaid magnet for oscillating said segmental plate a suflicient number ofrecesses to allow said tooth to engage any desired recess, substantiallyas described.

22. In a device of the character described, the combination with circuitmake and break mechanism of control mechanism therefor comprising anoscillatory segmental plate having a series of recesses in the edgethereof, two of said recesses being of greater depth than the remainingrecesses, a tooth adapted to engage said recesses, means connected tosaid tooth controlling said circuit make and break mechanism accordingto the depth of the recess engaged thereby, and means for oscillatingsaid oscillatory segmental plate, substantially as described.

23. In a device of the character described, the combination with circuitmake and break mechanism of a control device therefor, comprising aplate, a series of recesses in said plate, a magnet, a pawl operated bysaid magnet to move said plate through a step by step movement, a lever,a detent tooth carried by said lever and engaging said plate to retainsame in its adjusted position, an armature attracted by said magnet andoperating to oscillate said lever to release said plate, a movablemember normally in the path of said lever and adapted to limit themovement thereof, and means for withdrawing said member from the path ofsaid lever whereby said lever will be permitted to oscillate,substantially as specified.

24. In a device of the character described, the combination with circuitmake and break mechanism of a control device therefor, comprising aplate, a series of recesses in said plate, a magnet, a pawl operated bysaid magnet to move said plate through a step by step movement, a lever,a detent tooth carried by said lever and engaging said plate to retainsame in its adjusted position, an armature attracted by said magnet andoperating to oscillate said lever to release said plate, a movablemember controlled by said magnet and normally in the path of said leverand means for moving said member from the path of said lever wherebysaid lever may be operated by said magnet, substantially as specified.

25. In a device of the character described, the combination with circuitmake and break mechanism of a control device therefor, comprising aplate, a series of recesses, in said plate, a magnet, a pawl operated bysaid magnet to move said plate through a step by step movement, a lever,a detent tooth carried by said lever, and engaging said plate to retainsame in its adjusted position, an armature attracted by said magnet andoperating to oscillate said lever to release said plate, a movablemember controlled by said magnet whereby when the current is passed inone direction through said magnet said member will project in the pathof said lever, and when the current is passed in the opposite directionthrough said magnet said member will be withdrawn from the path of saidlever, substantially as specified.

26. In a device of the character described, the combination with circuitmake and break mechanism of a control device therefor, comprising aplate, a series of recesses, in said plate, a magnet, a pawl operated bysaid magnet to move said plate through a step by step movement, a lever,a detent tooth carried by said lever, and engaging said plate to retainsame in its adjusted position, an armature attracted by said magnet andoperating to oscillate said lever to release said plate, means normallylimiting the movement of said detent lever, and controlled by saidmagnet whereby upon the reversal of the current through said magnet saidlever will be permitted an additional degree of oscillation to releasesaid plate.

27. In a device of the character described, the combination with circuitmake and break devices, of control mechanism therefor including amovable member, variable stops limiting the movement of the member ineither direction, means for adjusting one of the stops to permit themovable member to operate the circuit make and break devices, and meansfor varying the other stop to permit the return of the first mentionedstop to normal.

28. In a device of the character described, the combination with circuitmake and break mechanism of control mechanism therefor including a platehaving recesses therein, a pawl adapted to operate said plate, a magnetactuating said pawl, a lever normally retaining said plate in itsoperated position and adapted by its oscillation to release said plate,a stop in the pat-h of said lever and normally preventing itsoscillation to effect the release of the plate, and means to remove thestop from the path of the lever upon the reversal of the direction ofcurrent through said magnet.

29. In a device of the character described, the combination with circuitmake and break mechanism of control mechanism therefor including a platehaving recesses therein, a pawl adapted to operate said plate, a magnetactuating said pawl, a lever normally retaining said plate in itsoperated position and adapted by its oscillation to release said plate,a permanent magnet and a polarized armature, movable into and out of thepath of the lever according to the changed polarity of said magnet andmeans to change the polarity thereof, substantially as specified.

30. In a device of the character described, the combination with circuitmake and break mechanism of control mechanism therefor including a platehaving recesses therein, a pawl adapted to operate said plate, a magnetactuating said pawl, a lever normally retaining said plate in itsoperated position and adapted by its oscillation to release said plate,a pivoted polarized armature adapted to be moved about its pivotalconnection into and out of the path ofsaid lever and means to change thepolarity of the controlling magnet, substantially as specified.

81. In a device of the character described, the combination with circuitmake and break mechanism of control mechanism including a movable platehaving a series of notches therein, a pawl adapted to engage and operatesaid plate, an arm on which said pawl is carried, means for permittingthe arm an additional degree of movement when the plate has been movedto a predetermined position, a detent on said actuating arm engaging theplate and limiting the movement thereof to predetermined distance, adetent for retaining the plate in operated position, and means forreturning the plate to normal position after each series of operationssynchronously withdrawing the operating pawl and retaining detent,substantially as specified.

82. In a device as described, the combination with circuit make andbreak mechanism of control mechanism therefor, ineluding a movableplate, a pawl adapted to operate said plate, a magnet actuating saidpawl, a lever, a detent carried thereby and engaging said plate toretain it in adjusted position, a connection between said lever andoperating pawl whereby the pawl will be withdrawn by the oscillation ofthe lever to permit the plate to be returned to normal, means tooscillate said lever through the action of said magnet and meansnormally preventing the oscillation of the lever to withdraw the pawlbut rendered inoperative by the reversal of the direction of currentthrough the magnet, substantially as specified.

83. In a construction of the character described, a series ofinstruments each having circuit make and break mechanism, individualcontrol mechanism for each in strument including a movable plate aplurality of notches in said plate, two of said notches being of greaterdepths than the remaining notches, one of said deep notches beingdifferently located in the series in each of the instruments on a commonline whereby said notch of each instrument will be engaged at adifferent point in the travel of said plate, the other deep notch beingcorrespondingly located in the series ofnotches of each of theinstruments whereby said notch will be synchronously engaged in theinstruments, a detent tooth engaging the notches, release devices andcircuit closing mechanism brought into operation when said tooth is insaid deep notches and inoperative when said tooth is in the shallownotches, substantially as specified. Y

34. In a device as described, the combination with circuit make andbreak mechanism of a control device therefor including a movable plate,actuating means therefor, a series of notches in said plate, two of saidnotches being deeper than the rest of the notches, a detent toothengaging said notches and bringing into operation circuit closingdevices and release mechanism when in the deep notches, one of said deepnotches being differently located in each of a series of in struments ona common line whereby said instruments will be brought into operation atdifferent stages of the operation of said plate and whereby theengagement of the detent tooth with the second deep'notch will besynchronous in all the instruments on a common. line thereby bringingall said instruments into operation at the same time, substantially asspecified.

35. In a system as described,the combination with means for sendingseparate electric impulses of a line comprising two conductors, one ofwhich may be the ground, a plurality of telephone lockout devices,bridged across said line of two conductors, an oscillating lever adaptedby its position to control the lookout device, a movable stop to limitthe oscillation of the lever in one direction, said lockout devicesbeing nor mally in position whereby all of said instruments will benormally unlocked, but the talking and ringing circuits, open, means forelectro magnet bridged between said conductors and adapted to actuatesaid variable stop, means for retaining said plate in its operatedposition and means for releasing said plate by a current sent in reversedirection through said conductors whereby the variable stop may bereturned to normal after each series of operations, substantially asspecified.

37. In a device of the character described, talking circuits controlledby the receiver hook, means for'locking the receiver hook in inoperativeposition, means including an electro magnet and a movable armaturecapable of diiferent degrees of movement for releasing any one of aseries of instruments by sending a predetermined number of separateimpulses over the line, and means to return the parts to normal positionby sending an impulse in reverse direction over the line whereby thearmature will be moved to a different degree thereby eflecting thereturn of the parts to normal, substantially as specified.

38. In a device of the character described, lock mechanism, meansincluding an electro magnet, a movable armature capable of differentdegrees of movement for operating sundry parts to unlock said mechanismby a predetermined number of separate electric impulses, means to holdsaid parts in operated position, and means for releasing saidparts'whereby they may return to normal by sending an impulse throughthe operating circuit in a direction opposite that required ,to operatesaid parts and thereby causing said armature to move through a path ofdifierent extent, substantially as specified.

39. In a device of the character described, talking circuits, a levercontrolling same, a dog adapted to hold said lever in inoperativeposition, a pivoted member adapted by its oscillation to disengage saiddog from said lever, means brought into operative condition by apredetermined number of separate impulses controlling the oscillation ofsaid pivoted member and limiting the movement of same whereby said dogwillbe engaged or disengaged according to the number of separateimpulses sent over the line, and means for returning said parts tonormal, substantially as specified.

40. A series of instruments of the character described on a common line,talking and ringing circuits, lock mechanism adapted to prevent theclosing of said talking circuits, and means for controlling said lockmechanism in each of said instruments, said control mechanism adaptedwhen in normal position to maintain the lock mechanism in inoperative orunlock condition, said control mechanism operated by a predeterminednumber of separate electric impulses, said control mechanism beingadapted at the initial impulse to look all the instruments on the lineand to release the respective instruments on difi erent subsequentimpulses, and on a predetermined number of impulses to synchronouslyunlock all the instruments on the line, substantially as specified.

41. In a device of the character described, the combination with circuitmake and break devices of control mechanism therefor including a movablemember adapted by its extreme movement in one direction to operate themake and break devices, a variable stop member normally limiting themovement of the movable member, said movable member being adapted by itsextreme movement in the opposite direction to permit the return of thevariable stop to normal when moved therefrom, a second stop limiting theopposite movement of the member, and means for actuating the stops.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 13th day ofFebruary A. D.

DANIEL W. KNEISLY. Witnesses:

HARRY F. NOLAN, F. L. WALKER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents,

. Washington, D. c.

